Old photo restoration

I have got a bunch of pic's that are of a great interest to me.
Sad thing is that they have faded quiet a lot...
I remembered seeing the name and address of (I think...it was....) a lady... restorer.
Thought I kept the address in my files, but I can't find it...
Can't remember where I got the info from ...
Was it here?

Thing is I didn't know where the pictures where at the time I saw the info about the restorer.
Now I localized the pic's ....I can't find the restorer ....

 

I can't help with the restorer referral, but I think that it is quite expensive when you call in a specialist. It sounds as if you have a lot of photos, so this may be cost-prohibitive. Have you tried scanning them and fiddling with the tone, etc. in a Photoshop-type app? You might also check with your local archival repository, such as a historical society or university library, to see if they have any local referrals. Also check with your state historic preservation office. Good luck!

 

Kristiaan lives in Belgium.

 

@kristiaan, why don't you post just one so we can see the level of degradation & restoration needed, that you're talking about???

 

hello,

thanks for your responses so far.
I have some business to attempt to today, but I will post them and will try the first suggestion later on today.

 

Here I am.
It is not the brightest day, but I took pictures in my light box.
My scan is worthless.
Took the advice of Darkwing manor, and the improvement is indeed fascinating.
Just by using my every day photoshop program.
I never thought doing that....
So my guess is that with a professional scanner and a improved photoshop app results might be even better.
Here is the worst pic of that collection and the photoshop result, I had every pic redone 3 times;

 

I'm not aware that anything can be done to bring back a faded image. The artifact can be stabilized and restored, but I don't think the image will be made any deeper or clearer. I think all you can do is get the best quality digital scan or photo of the artifact and then use an editing program to bring it out as much as possible. Even doing that, your expectations should not be great.

 

@kristiaan, I tend to agree with MOS! I love to play with old photos, to see what can be done with them, but you have some VERY serious degradation you're dealing with there, sorry to say! I've been playing with Photoshop and a couple of other programs for many years, am by NO MEANS any kind of a pro, and could not do much with your image!!! If you have the resources, you might want to take one to a professional studio to see what they might be able to do with it......they might not be able to do much more than stabilize it beyond further loss, but it might be worth a try!! I wish you the best of luck with your project!!

 

Thanks!

 

I have a friend who is a professional photographer, but he's in Kortrijk. I can ask him if he knows anyone in your area who does this type of work. It would be worth it to just talk to someone and get an estimate.

 

Please do.
I don't mind driving to Kortrijk. It's about a hour drive from where we live.

 

I'll ask Tom. We've known him for 20 years and call him our "Belgian son." . We usually get over there once a year and our Belgian friends come visit us on Cape Cod. We started taking youth basketball teams over in 1987 and have made lifelong friends. We love Belgium. In fact, I'm giving Belgian chocolates to everyone for Christmas. We're friends with the family that owns Beugnies Les Chocolats. I can't eat American chocolate any more. I'm too spoiled.

 

I just texted him. I'll let you know what he says.

 

I nearly made it to Cape Cod a few years ago.
When I had a item to be delivered at a auction house in Dennis, MA 02638.
The price of a specialized antiques transporter was has expensive as making the voyage myself and stay there for a week....
But fedex,eventually, did the transport. For less.

About chocolate; I am getting the left overs, or should I say the unsold from a baker down town. And there is always loads of chocolate...
The baker's name is Goossens in the Korte Gasthuisstraat Antwerp.
Famous since 1884.
Left, right and even a cross the street they are surrounded with "chocolatiers", we recently got a present from visitors, who didn't know my bond with Goossens...coming from a neighbor of Goossens. Got the chance to compare! ;-)

It is always good to be friends with people who deal in food! ;-)

And thanks for asking Tom.

 

I'll check them out next time we're in Antwerp! If you ever get to the Cape, message me. I'm in Orleans, not far from Dennis.

Tom asks: Do you want to improve the photos or digitize them?

 

Is the website on your post your site? I can have him contact you

 

Standing where you are on that picture,is about 5 minutes walking to my house we used to live, until 1995.

 

Yes, that is one of them.

 

Somewhere I have a photo of us standing in front of the Lange Wapper, too.